Take a little time out and learn a simple pleasure
The Dell is a beautiful, creative and versatile space to host a retreat or event of any kind. Right in the heart of the Cairngorms and on the edge of the Abernethy Forest the Dell is a peaceful place with great access to real wilderness.
Accommodation is versatile, owner Polly can provide creative and nourishing soul-food and our studio space is set within the forest in our Scandinavian Tipi.
We make sure your guests have the environment that allows them to relax and gain the most from the retreat. The kettle is always on, the fire stoked, candles lit and a warm welcome to the Dell.
View Workshops by Season
Spring 2022
Soundscape meditation walk
1 Mar - 31 May
Anytime
£25
Music has been our true tonic over the last little while and we have built a stack of our 'Woodland Wireless' playlists on Spotify to form a connection with the woods, even when you're not able to visit.
Soundscape draws from this library, carefully selecting tracks that stir us and resonate with the landscape surrounding us to take us on a meditative musical journey into the deeper, more hidden trails surrounding the Dell.
Each walk takes around an hour and will be punctuated with birdsong interludes and hot cups.
Only requirements are Premium Spotify account, good headphones and some sturdy footwear.
This is available all year round.
Weekly Yoga Classes
20 Mar - 31 May
We are really happy to have Katie White here at The Dell as our regular yoga instructor. She truly is a wonderful teacher! Katie is going to be hosting a yoga class in our woodland tipi on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm (£12 a session) and Sunday mornings from 10 – 11am (£12 a session). Sunday’s session is suitable for all and is all about slow flow with a combination of Vinyasa and Hatha yoga, leaving your body, mind and breath in perfect harmony. Tuesday’s session is slightly more challenging with more of an emphasis on Ashtanga, creating more energy, vitality and freedom in a progression towards strength and flexibility. Please bring your mats and, if you like, yoga block or you can hire them here at The Dell. We also recommend wearing layers and bringing a blanket. Some Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings are not running so it’s best to get in touch with ourselves or head to Katie’s website www.katiewhiteyoga.com to find out more.
Summer 2022
The Dell Market
4 Jun
12 - 5pm
free
We are over the moon to announce our first Dell Market. A chance to bring together the wonderful assortment of crafters, artists and food and drink producers from our local area. Here at The Dell we aspire to be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible and so we have put together a group of like minded traders to showcase their fantastic products. There will be a little bit of something for everyone. As well as bagging a beauty and being inspired by the creativity around you, you can hang out under the trees listening to music, watch demonstrations from local green woodworkers and fill up your bellies on food and drink provided by ourselves. Supporting local business owners has never been so important, so we hope you can join us and spread the word.
The Moon: Restore and Ritual
10 Jun
6.30 - 8.30pm
£47
During these deeply restorative practices, Christie invites you to come together on the Friday closest to the Full Moon in a beautiful evening under the moon and the stars in the depths of the Caledonian Forest. An opportunity and invitation, by candle and fire to set intentions, flow and move into the turning of the lunar cycle. You will celebrate in ceremony through cacao, restorative yoga and a deeply healing gong bath leading into crystal bowls (a must for self care junkies). Deeply healing and restorative; the vibe will be low and slow and deeply healing. In honouring the lunar energy, we also look to nature and cyclical turning of the wheel weaving this into the theme of each event.
There will be lots of chocolatey vegan treats to nourish our souls and sit in sangha following our practice. For the non-drivers there will be a glass of bubbles to toast The Moon & yourself at the end (equally bubbly alcohol-free option available). Each participant will receive a pre-event invite with suggestions to incorporate into your daily routine leading up to the event along with a beautiful wellness gift on the day to compliment the theme of each event. This is a fully immersive experience that will open your heart, your body and your soul.
Christie will also be running these restorative practices here on 10th June and 15th July.
Have Time to Take Time Retreat
13 - 17 Jun
from £880
We are very excited to have Bex Hunt here with her special Yoga retreat which will offer you the equivalent of a big calming breath for your body, mind and soul. Take time away from the busyness of life to simply let yourself be. Three daily Yoga practices will take place inside the woodland Tipi, where you will be able to hear, feel, smell and see nature as we practice. Her guest teacher, Noelle Harrison, who is a bestselling author, Yoga teacher and journaling guide, will also guide you through a creative journaling workshop as well as bed time story telling restorative practices. And then there will be time. Time for you to do a little as you like or come on walks through the woods and wild swimming. As well as a week of delicious vegetarian or vegan food, on the final night you will have the chance to enjoy cocktail making and drinks around the fire!
Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat
20 - 24 Jun
from £795
Join Janine Cade of Soul Seeker Yoga to celebrate the magic of the Summer Solstice! Are you looking to unwind, your body and mind, setting down all you are carrying to step into deep nourishment for your body and soul? On this retreat you'll allow tension to wash away as you immerse yourself in yoga, self-care and connection. This beautiful retreat is suitable for those new to yoga and more experienced practitioners alike.
As we reach the longest day of the year, the light reaches it’s fullest power. It’s a time for transparency with yourself, Satya (truth) and self-honouring. You will use the power of the Summer Solstice to reflect on what is best for you, to set healthy boundaries and to cultivate the Tapas (fire of discipline) to maintain them as you carry forward you priorities for the next six months. You will cultivate all of this through twice daily yoga, sound bath, ceremony & ritual. In between sessions there will be walks, wild swimming, deep rest and a plentiful, glorious, vegan menu.
To book please head to Janine's page at www.soulseekeryoga.com/yoga-retreat-cairngorm/
Summer Tipi Session
25 Jun
12pm - 9pm
free
What better way to start the summer than a Dell Tipi Session?! Please join us for a day of kicking back, listening to some fantastic music, sharing a pizza or two and having a good catch up with pals. We are absolutely delighted to have DJ Mark Karawane back to bless our ears with his tunes that are guaranteed to get you dancing. Things will be kicking things off from 12pm, with food and drink being served all the way through till 9. The fires will be roaring, the bar will be open and hopefully the Scottish sun will be shining. Please get in touch with us to book yourself a space. Can’t wait to see you here!
Yoga with Julie Paterson
29 Jun
6.30 - 7.30pm
£10
Julie is a fabulous, qualified yoga teacher and is offering monthly yoga classes. She prefers to teach outdoors but given our unpredictable Scottish weather, this is not always easy so the woodland tipi is a close second best. You can stay warm and dry while still connecting to nature. Her classes are restorative/yin yoga which provide an outdoor healing session with a simple mindful, beautiful experience. The tipi is a quiet space which heightens your connection with nature giving you a real release from being busy or stressed. If you are interested in a session with Julie then please head to her website to book.
www.picktime.com/Totalyoga
If you have trouble with the link then you can email her directly to see if she has space. Don't worry if you don't have your mat, she always has a spare.
Womban Immersion
11 - 15 Jul
from £780
In this fantastic five day course, Rebecca Wilson offers you an incredible opportunity to reconnect with your Heart and Womb and to awaken your womb and feminine energy. You will immerse yourself in a multifaceted experience of yoga practices, different forms of movement, connection, song and mantra, breath work and more, all guided with a slow, gentle and tender loving energy. Accommodation and local organic, vegan and gluten free meals are included.
Autumn 2022
Wilderness Fit Retreat
9 - 12 Sep
£650
A unique collaboration bringing together Wilderness Fit movement sessions all using the natural landscape. These sessions hopefully give you a little inspiration in the outdoors that you can bring into your daily life, run by Yaz Basan (Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer). Also included are varying forms of yoga, Kombucha brewing, cycling, cold water swimming and trail running and an optional extra Reiki session. The aim of this weekend is to give other women a boost of energy and have a good time together in the outdoors. There will be plenty of time for relaxation too. All activities are optional and all fitness levels are welcome
Shrinkpot Carving Workshop
17 Sep
10am - 4pm
£110
Come and spend a relaxing time making and creating with the extremely talented Aaron Sterritt, in and around our woodland tipi. Aaron is a local green woodworker and creates stunning contemporary pieces that are inspired by the natural characteristics of the wood in which he works. With him, you will learn a wide range of traditional "Green Woodworking" techniques. Using hand tools and locally sourced hardwood, you will be guided through the process of making your very own Shrinkpot. These wooden pots are the ultimate in pure green woodworking and are an absolute joy to make! You will come away with at least two of these beautifully practical pots, which can have many different uses. This course is for both complete beginners and more experienced woodworkers. All welcome, no previous woodworking experience is needed. Lunch, drinks and cake are also provided by our wonderful chefs here at The Dell. A wonderful way to spend a day in the trees.
Big Juicy Creative Swim Retreat
24 - 28 Oct
Join SwimWild on its first ever Big Juicy Creative Swim Retreat, bringing together wild swimming and creative exploration, on this unique 5 day retreat.
It’s being hosted by Swimwild founder, illustrator and author Alice Goodridge and Big Juicy Creative podcast host and journalist Suzy Bashford, who have been finding ‘swimspiration’ together for years.
You definitely don’t have to be an artist, or even consider yourself ‘creative’. You could be. Or you could be someone who wants to awaken their creativity in a playful way, amid stunning surroundings. Perhaps you’re creatively blocked, or have lost touch with your creativity. Whatever situation, cold water is one of the best hacks we’ve found to joyfully ignite your creative spark and have fun with like-minds at the same time. Five days of fun, creativity, wholesome and nutritious food and being surrounded by nature.
Grounding into Winter Ancient Wisdom Retreat
7 - 11 Nov
from £795
Join the wonderful and inspiring Mairead Moodie for 4 days of deep rest, nourishment and preparation for transitioning into Winter. Your days will start by the fire in the Tipi, with a mug of medicinal cacao, followed with some Kundalini inspired movement or yoga practice. After a nourishing long brunch, the afternoon will be yours to do with as you wish. Lazy afternoons by the fires, walks in the forest, loch dips, kitchen or living room ‘workshops’ inspired by the teachings of Ayurveda, warm baths or curling up on your comfy bed with a good book. Dinners will be nice and early to allow for a long, slow evening practice back in the tipi before bed. There will be yoga Nidra, guided meditations, yin practice and sound baths as part of our evening wind down practice. A chance to relax, re-charge and nourish the body, mind and soul.
Relax, Restore and Renew
11 - 14 Nov
From £699
This retreat will enable you to relax, unwind, take a breath outside of your everyday life. Surrounded by the wonderful natural environment we will encourage you to focus on yourself, think about what you really want from your life and gain some fresh focus, a new perspective. Our professional coaches will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and reconnection to self. The course gifts you with tools and techniques to rediscover and experience the very best version of yourself. The retreat includes life coaching workshops, forest walks, meditation and breathwork, yoga and mindfulness practices, exactly what you need to Relax, Restore and Renew.
Winter 2022
Sorry. There are no workshops scheduled at this point in the year.
Treat someone to an experience at the Dell
If you have stayed at the Dell or simply like the look of what we do here you can now pass it on by way of a voucher.
Gift Vouchers
Whether it be a romantic break, a weekend yoga retreat, a fire pit session or a bottle of wine on arrival, allow us to look after this for you.
Keep in touch?
We'll let you know when we add new workshops and dates to the calendar.